Secret Society

In 1987, Duncan produced a six-part documentary for the BBC entitled, Secret Society. The series disclosed the culture of secrecy in government and lack of public accountability for its actions. The Thatcher administration had different ideas. Before the show was broadcast Strathclyde police raided the BBC's Scottish headquarters and Duncan's home, seizing the tapes. Although these were later returned, two episodes, 'Secret Cabinet Committees' and 'Zircon' were banned from broadcast in an act of good, old fashioned red-pen censorship.

You can watch the controversial series below.

You will also find additional material, including the a look at the political issues surrounding Secret Society and the Zircon Affair here.

Episode 1: The Secret Constitution: Secret Cabinet Committees

The opening episode exposes a rampant culture of secrecy dominant in Westminster. These clandestine committees and groups yield untold influence on government policy and yet operate completely independent of public scrutiny or accountability.

ACPO have been making up their own law and policy. This episode investigates the Association of Chief Police Officers and how Government policy and actions are determined in the fields of law and order.